Aryna Sabalenka explores New York with cocktails, shopping, cameo with Novak Djokovic ahead of US Open

Aryna Sabalenka hasn’t lifted a Grand Slam trophy since winning the US Open in 2024.

Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up to defend her crown at the US Open 2025. But before stepping onto centre court, she’s been living her best New York life—training with Novak Djokovic, toasting with Dobel cocktails, shopping bags in hand, and wandering the city that never sleeps.

The World No.1 star was initially set to play the newly revamped ‘Fast Four’ Mixed Doubles Championship at the Flushing Meadows but had to withdrew after her partner Grigor Dimitrov pulled out.

That freed up her schedule, and Sabalenka wasted no timae making the most of it. She surprised fans with a cameo at Novak Djokovic’s practice session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the two shared a hug before rallying together. Sabalenka even served as Djokovic’s ball girl for a few points in a playful twist.

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Off-court, she’s been just as busy. On Tuesday, Sabalenka toasted her partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila by mixing her own “Marg-Aryna” cocktail.

And with her calendar wide open, she declared it an “off day” in New York—exploring the Big Apple, shopping, and dining at favourite spots like Golden Diner in Chinatown, Nougatine on Central Park West, and Hamburger America.

“In the past two or three years, I got a lot into fashion,” Sabalenka admitted. “I like to shop, and I think that’s also a problem! There’s a special charm in shopping on the streets in real life, not online.”

Sabalenka last competed at the Cincinnati Open, where she crashed out in the quarterfinals against No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina, 6-1, 6-4.

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Before that, she endured a heartbreaking Wimbledon semi-final, falling to Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 at the All England Club.

With only one warm-up tournament leading into New York, her focus now is back to defending her title at US Open 2025, starting on Monday, August 25.

This is where she won her last Grand Slam. This year so far, she won three WTA titles – Brisbane International, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, but not a major one yet.

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